'ASEAN Cup is only the beginning': Vietnam head coach

Coach Kim Sang-sik during a press conference after Vietnam's 3-2 victory over Thailand in the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final on Jan. 5, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Hieu Luong

"Tonight is history," Kim said when asked if this was the most memorable match of his coaching career.

"We played in a challenging stadium and it was a tough match. Thanks to the support of Vietnamese fans, we achieved this victory. I want to thank the players, who didn't give up and fought until the end. I've won titles at the club level, but this is my first trophy with a national team and it means so much."

Vietnam entered Rajamangala Stadium with a 2-1 lead from the first leg and the aim of securing at least a draw. Under the pressure from over 43,000 Thai fans, Vietnam had a dream start, as Pham Tuan Hai, starting for the first time in the tournament, scored in the 8th minute to give Vietnam the lead.

However, after that was an unfortunate series of events. In the 28th minute, Doan Ngoc Tan's defensive error allowed Ben Davis to equalize with a curling shot. Just minutes later, star striker Nguyen Xuan Son suffered a serious leg injury and was stretchered off.

The situation worsened in the 64th minute when Thailand took the lead with a controversial goal. After goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu threw the ball out for medical attention to Nguyen Hoang Duc, Thailand were not being fair play and resumed the game without returning the ball, scoring through Supachok Sarachat’s long-range to make it 2-1, and the aggregate score 3-3.

However, Weerathep Pomphan’s red card in the 74th minute after a tactical foul on Nguyen Quang Hai gave Vietnam the advantage. In the 82nd minute, a shot from Tuan Hai deflected off defender Pansa Hemviboon for an own goal, leveling the second leg's score at 2-2.

Vietnam sealed the victory in dramatic fashion during injury time, as substitute midfielder Nguyen Hai Long scored from distance into an empty net after Thailand goalkeeper ventured forward for a corner kick. The 3-2 win secured a 5-3 aggregate triumph, earning Vietnam their third ASEAN Cup title after victories in 2008 and 2018.

Coach Kim emphasized that he was happy to complete his first goal with Vietnamese football, but only considered this the beginning.

"This is a proud moment, but our journey has just started. I’m excited to look forward to the final qualifying round of the Asian Cup and the SEA Games in 2025," he said.

When asked about Thailand's controversial second goal, Kim expressed disappointment but praised his players for their resilience.

"It was not a deserving goal, and I was disappointed by it. However, the players were not discouraged and kept their spirit high after conceding," he added.

Born in 1976, Kim Sang-sik was a renowned defensive midfielder in South Korea. He began his coaching career at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, leading the club to the K-League 1 title in 2021 and the FA Cup in 2022. His achievements earned him the K-League 1’s best coach award.

After resigning in 2023 due to declining club performance, Kim signed with the Vietnam Football Federation in early 2024, taking over from Philippe Troussier at a time when the national team were struggling.

 

 

'ASEAN Cup is only the beginning': Vietnam head coach

Thái Lan 2-3 Việt Nam